Articles by Tom Bedford, Contributor

Marshall has redesigned its home speaker range with useful tweaks and two new options, but there's a big thing missing

By Tom Bedford Published 7 July 26

Marshall has unveiled the Acton IV and Stanmore IV speakers, with some tweaks over the old models, but there's no Woburn IV in sight.

The Noble Osprey earbuds, on a table next to the case.

I tested Noble’s new ‘budget’ earbuds and I'd love to say they'll wow audiophiles, but it’s impossible to keep them in long enough to know

By Tom Bedford Published 7 July 26

The Noble Osprey look and sound great, but fit issues result in an infuriating listening experience.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro cases, stacked on top of one another.

Samsung's first ever clip-on earbuds look slated to launch, as odd new name drops in the Galaxy Wearable app

By Tom Bedford Published 6 July 26

The Galaxy Wearable app has name-dropped a few new products from Samsung, including rumored clipping buds

Daisy One headphones on TR's pink background

These premium headphones throw the logic of your Sonys or Boses out the window in favor of a 'Still Mode' to stay calm, and I’m all for it

By Tom Bedford Published 3 July 26

Rather than trying to better Bose’s ANC, these new headphones simply want to bring you its desired effect: calmness

Two images of speakers in a split-screen image, with TR's 'Money No Object' badge in the top right corner

'I wouldn't even be able to afford the speaker stands' — two big-name audiophile brands just went head-to-head to release the best elite hi-fi tower speaker

By Tom Bedford Published 2 July 26

Sonus faber and Focal have both revealed new floor-standing speakers, but only one company had the thought to release an affordable model too.

My favorite quirky hi-res audio firm just released ultra-cheap over-ear headphones, and I cannot understand how FiiO kept the price so low

By Tom Bedford Published 30 June 26

$49 wireless headphones with LDAC, 75-hour stamina and ANC? OK but they’re made by Temu, right? Try head-fi specialist FiiO (and yes, I’m shocked too)

The Roberts Rambler DAB Radio outside on a wooden table.

A classic piece of tech is becoming redundant: BBC waves bye-bye to its Long Wave broadcasts

By Tom Bedford Published 29 June 26

The BBC has turned off its last Long Wave radio broadcast, encouraging more listeners to make the move to digital.

The Cleer Arc 5 buds in a shelf, next to the case.

A touch-screen case, Dolby Atmos and a posture test: I spent a month with Cleer's open earbuds that have it all (except top-tier audio)

By Tom Bedford Published 27 June 26

The Cleer Arc 5 have loads of features, but they're expensive and don't sound amazing.

The Status Audio Pro X on a window sill.

One small step for headphones, one giant leap for audiophiles: why this super-small invention could make your next headphones sound a lot better

By Tom Bedford Published 26 June 26

Audio component company Knowles has unveiled a brand-new piece of kit, which could change how future headphones sound.

The banner artwork for Deezer Remix Lab.

'No need to feed water-gobbling, planet-heating data centers': Deezer's new Remix Lab tool uses absolutely no AI and debunks slop music myths

By Tom Bedford Published 25 June 26

Deezer has unveiled Remix Lab, which lets you combine two artists' songs, yet without using AI or underpaying original writers.

I'm back into vinyl in a big way in 2026, and Fluance's top cheap turntable is 20% off for Prime Day in this turntable deal, but only for 12 hours (so hurry!)

By Tom Bedford Published 24 June 26

The highly-rated Fluance RT81 turntable is enjoying a Lightning Deal as part of Amazon's Prime Day, saving you 20%. But the discount only lasts for 12 hours — quick!

The Focal DS No 7 SUV's in-vehicle audio system.

Focal just unveiled a stunning-looking in-car SUV audio system with 14 speakers, a 'Power Flower' subwoofer and 690W amplification

By Tom Bedford Published 24 June 26

Focal has teamed up with DS Automobiles to create an accomplished-looking audio set-up for an electric SUV.

A pair of Triangle Solstice 8 speakers straddling an empty fireplace.

Triangle's stunning new Solstice speakers do things a little differently, with a focus on higher frequencies thanks to an all-new tweeter

By Tom Bedford Published 22 June 26

Audio brand Triangle has unveiled its new Solstice range (a day after the summer solstice) which is, while not cheap, more affordable than many rivals.

The posters of Star Wars, The Phantom Menace and The Force Awakens beside each other.

Consider yourself a Star Wars fan? Challenge your knowledge of the Force with this galactic trivia quiz

By Tom Bedford Published 20 June 26

A big fan of everything Star Wars? Take this 30-question quiz on its games, movies, shows, characters, and songs to prove it.

Two different-colored models of Sennheiser Accentum Clip on a blue background.

Sennheiser just entered the cuff-style earbuds space like a wrecking ball, but I think the company's trying to fix a problem that no longer exists

By Tom Bedford Published 19 June 26

Sennheiser has announced its first open earbuds: the Accentum Clip, which put a heavy focus on musical fidelity.

The Soundcore Space 2 in front of a green bush.

I tested these superb ANC headphones then forgot to ever stop using them… and they're on sale in a sweet early Prime Day deal

By Tom Bedford Published 18 June 26

The superb Soundcore Space 2 are enjoying an early Prime Day deal, and I've been using them for months.

A still of Ash and Pikachu from the Pokemon series

Think you know Pikachu’s world? Prove it by acing our 30-question Pokémon quiz to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary

By Tom Bedford Published 18 June 26

A big fan of everything Pokémon? Take this 30-question quiz on its games, movies, shows, characters, and songs to prove it.

The Focal Diva Alta Utopia on a mountainous background.

Focal's new Doctor Who-esque speakers cost as much as a Porsche 911, but they’re here to exterminate the competition

By Tom Bedford Published 17 June 26

The new Focal Diva Alta Utopia may look like Daleks who missed their call time for a Doctor Who shoot, but there's a whole lot of hi-fi going on under the hood.

The Teenage Engineering APC-2 on a black background.

Sick of scrounging in thrift stores for LPs or paying $40 for a new album? This pro vinyl cutter lets you make your own — but it's an absolute beast

By Tom Bedford Published 16 June 26

The Teenage Engineering APC-2 is a record cutter that lets you 'burn' audio to vinyl, but for various reasons, you won't be picking it up and carrying it home tomorrow

This is where magic gets real — can you ace our 30 question ultimate Disney quiz on Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars and more?

By Tom Bedford Published 16 June 26

A big fan of everything Disney? Take this 30-question quiz on its movies, shows, characters, games and parks to prove it.

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 on a bronze table.

'They carve out a special and useful niche': I tested OneOdio's new wireless headphones for music pros and DJs — despite some big issues, that low-latency wireless transmitter means I'll use them every day

By Tom Bedford Published 16 June 26

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 are a lot like the Max 1, but with a higher price and improved transmitter. For most people, I'd still recommend the old pair.

Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones in their case

‘How to describe it, other than slime or puke?’: another World Cup player dons unreleased Beats headphones and that’s got to be a custom colorway… right?

By Tom Bedford Published 15 June 26

The Beats Solo 5 are being teased, with another 2026 World Cup player wearing them, but we're yet to spot anyone else actually using them.

The Balco Sports Earbuds case and buds next to some shoes.

'Just as good as $100 earbuds': I tested out Aldi's bargain-bin $14 / £12 sports earbuds and I'm shocked to report that you should buy them

By Tom Bedford Published 14 June 26

When Aldi sold me a pair of $14.99 / £12.99 earbuds, I knew I had to see how they'd stack up against the best in the market... and I'm pretty surprised.